SURG cutting off relationship with Ryan Braun; Graffito to close at end of 2013

SURG has ended its business relationship with Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, and the restaurant bearing his name in the Third Ward will close at the end of the year, the restaurant group announced today, further fallout from Braun's suspension.

His name will be removed from the restaurant at 102 N. Water St. Braun’s name already has been removed from the restaurant's website, including from the URL. The restaurant now is called simply Graffito instead of Ryan Braun’s Graffito.

SURG also will change the name of 8-Twelve MVP Bar & Grill in Brookfield as well as the name of the restaurant under development at Bayshore Town Center in Glendale. SURG is continuing its business relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the "Twelve" in 8-Twelve.

The group is keeping the restaurant open through the end of the year to fulfill commitments such as parties that have already been booked.

Michael Polaski, CEO and co-owner of SURG, said in the statement, "We've appreciated the relationship we had with Ryan over the last several years, and the entire SURG family wishes him success in the future."

According to the statement, Braun supported the decision and wished "best of luck" to the group.

Since Braun was suspended July 22 by Major League Baseball for violating baseball’s drug program, companies he worked with as an endorser have dropped him.

Wilson Sporting Goods, a major supplier to players in MLB, also dropped Braun after he was suspended.

In Wisconsin, Kwik Trip, a privately owned company that runs convenience stores, quickly dropped Braun as a spokesman.

The Milwaukee Brewers, meanwhile, have largely stopped showing Braun in promotional and marketing ads for the team.

Braun is not an owner of Graffito; SURG owns the business. Braun’s name is attached to the restaurant through a licensing agreement.

SURG bought the business in late 2010. Previously it had been called Ryan Braun’s Waterfront Grill, and was opened by RB Hospitality Group LLC, a firm owned by Madison attorneys Patrick S. Sweeney and Cory Buye.

Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

About Carol Deptolla

Carol Deptolla is the Journal Sentinel dining critic. She also reports on restaurants, bars and other food- and drink-related businesses.